Gilgeous-Alexander Shines with 27 Points as Thunder Dominate Grizzlies in Game 2

OKLAHOMA CITY: The Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their dominance in Game 2 of their first-round playoff matchup, securing a 118-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Paycom Center on Wednesday. This win gives the Thunder a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Thunder established control early, surging to a 32-17 advantage in the opening quarter and maintaining their lead throughout the game. Their offensive execution was well-rounded, with five players reaching double figures in scoring.

“We respect every team we play, regardless of their record,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated.

“They’re a formidable team, that’s obvious. They’re in the playoffs for a reason. We focused on starting strong and winning the first quarter to set the tone,” he added.

Alexander spearheaded the attack with 27 points, along with five rebounds and eight assists, continuing his strong postseason performance.

Jalen Williams contributed 24 points and five rebounds, while rookie Chet Holmgren made a significant impact in the paint, achieving a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Oklahoma City’s bench players also played crucial roles, with Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso combining for 21 points. On the defensive end, the Thunder effectively contained Memphis for the second consecutive game, limiting them to under 100 points.

The Grizzlies struggled to find any offensive consistency and were unable to keep pace with the Thunder. Despite a brief rally in the third quarter, they were outscored in each quarter and were unable to overcome the early deficit.

With this victory, the Thunder travel to Memphis holding a significant series lead. The Grizzlies will need to quickly reorganize if they wish to keep their playoff hopes alive.